In the summer of 2023, on a day trip to New York City, my sister and I took a chance on a brand new show on Broadway because it was offering rush seats, meaning that we could walk up to the box office a few hours before showtime and purchase seriously discounted seats. The show was in a tiny theatre, but it had won a bunch of Tony Awards, so we thought why not?
To be honest, we didn't expect much... but we didn't care. It was a Broadway show, and we were just happy to be there.
That show was KIMBERLY AKIMBO.
When it was over, I told my sister to mark my words. That show was going to be on tour within two years.
And here we are, with the KIMBERLY AKIMBO National Tour kicking off in Denver at The Buell Theatre.
Not only was I right (I am a musical oficionado, after all), but I am lucky enough to live in the city where this little brand new show, full of unknown actors, that came out of nowhere to win a bunch of Tony Awards, launches a tour to share the joy of KIMBERLY AKIMBO with the world.
I'm not exaggerating when I say that I loved the show on Broadway with the original cast.
But I am OBSESSED with the cast of the National Tour. Let me tell you why.
- The cast is genuinely hilarious. It takes a lot to get me to laugh out loud during a show, and Miguel Gil (Seth), in particular, had me CACKLING with his performance.
- We all laughed and cried... two moms, and two young adult women. Always the best combination for a great musical but often hard to pull off.
- I could relate to each of the characters at one time or another during the show. The things that they were experiencing were SO real. Off the wall sometimes, but real.
- The story and the humor is delightfully weird. Like, the best kind of weird. You truly can't help but be goofy grinning the whole time.
- The songs took ordinary life and made it funny. Not regular funny. Shockingly funny. Relatable funny. I mean, there's a song about scurvy.
- After the show, we relived it for hours. We talked about which songs we will download. Our hearts were heartbroken and reinvigorated at the same time.
KIMBERLY AKIMBO plays at The Buell Theatre through October 5, 2024. DO NOT miss your chance to see this amazing cast, and experience the pure joy of this show.
"KIMBERLY AKIMBO is the winner of five 2023 Tony Awards including BEST MUSICAL! Kimberly is about to turn 16 and recently moved with her family to a new town in suburban New Jersey. In this “howlingly funny heartbreaker of a show” (The New Yorker), Kim is forced to navigate family dysfunction, a rare genetic condition, her first crush…and possible felony charges. Ever the optimist, she is determined to find happiness against all odds and embark on a great adventure."
